If the modest sales figures can be believed, most gamers missed out on the year's best hand-held experience to date, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. But now the former DS exclusive has landed on the PSP, and it's even better than the original. So while I'm tempted to scold anyone who initially passed on this juicy palm-sized chapter in the good-to-be-a-gangsta' series, I'll simply politely ask they go play it on Sony's portable...right now!
But before diving guns firstinto an experience I actually enjoyed more than the last console GTA, allow me to catch-up the uninitiated. Chinatown Wars is not a stripped down portable entry, but a full-on ass-cappin', car-jacking, cop-evading console rivaling romp that forgoes much of the superfluous activities of GTAIV (no need to take your buddies on a bowling date, here) in favor of an expertly focused experience brimming with gameplay variety.
Fun-as-hell missions, a genius drug trafficking-driven economy, a richly modeled 3D Liberty Citycomplete with changing weather conditions and a full day/night cyclemade Chinatown Wars an absolute marvel on the modestly-powered DS. But with the extra tech behind the PSPnot to mention that big beautiful screenthe title's allowed to blow up like a flame-engulfed gas station.
This version boasts more missions, remastered audio, and dynamic real-time lighting and self-shadowing effects that translate into screen-swallowing explosions and other visual trickery the DS couldn't quite pull off. The only thing missing is stylus controls; that means we're treated to the same addictive mini-games, only without the hand cramps. Wrap it all in a twisted GTA tale, complete with crazy-ass characters, and you've got the new best hand-held title of the year.
score 10 out of ten
verdict If you missed this one the first time out (for shame!), here's your chance to play the definitive version of not just the year's best portable offering, but one of the year's most engaging titles offered on any platform. It's a living, breathing Liberty City in the palm of your hand.
Please note: if you have come to this page via Metacritic, please click this link before posting a comment. Comments posted after directly coming here via a Metacritic link are currently not showing up properly.
Words
